Tampa Bay Waterkeeper resorts to litigation as one of the tools in our toolbox. It's a powerful tool and it works well. Once we have sufficient information we can determine if a violation of the Clean Water Act, zoning codes or other environmental laws or regulations is occurring, we first attempt to work with the violator to bring them into compliance and/or will report the violation to appropriate government agencies. If the case isn't resolved, we will decide how we can bring the appropriate legal resources to bear.
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Under the Clean Water Act and some other environmental laws, citizens have the right to file lawsuits against polluters. When needed, we represent our members in bringing lawsuits against polluters when government agencies fail to do their jobs. We may also bring legal challenges against governmental agencies when they fail to enforce the laws they are supposed to.
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If you suspect environmental laws and regulations are being violated, contact us so we can investigate the issue.
Trademark Recycling
Citizens Suit in Federal Court to enforce the Clean Water Act against Trademark Metals, a major recycler and exporter of scrap metal in Florida and beyond.
Piney Point
Citizens Suit in Federal Court to enforce the Clean Water Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and Endangered Species Act against Florida Department of Environmental Protection, HRK Holdings and the Manatee County Port Authority for releasing hundreds of tons of toxic pollutants into Tampa Bay and groundwater, endangering the public, marine ecosystems and protected species.